VB TIMELINE ? CULTURE_ LOUNGE WIZARDS Five years after the first ‘Blue Room’ opened at Brisbane airport, Virgin Blue unveils its radically revamped Guest facilities. Named ‘The Lounge’, the new-look amenities offer a stylish and sophisticated environment for Guests, complete with complimentary food and beverages as well as enhanced business resources, such as free wireless internet access. TURNING GREEN In another bold venture from Virgin Blue, the airline becomes the first in Australia to launch a government-certified carbon offset program, and the first in the world to offer Guests the option of offsetting their carbon emissions from individual flights. The airline also commits to offsetting the work-related trips of the entire Virgin Blue team. FUTURE FORWARD CELEBRATION TIME Virgin Blue clocks up an all-time Australian record for on-time departures at 93.8 per cent for the month. Punctuality continues to be a strong point of the airline, and in the 12 months to March 2008, Virgin Blue records a monthly average on-time performance of 81 per cent. AMERICAN DREAMS After months of speculation, Virgin Blue confirms its plans to launch Australia’s newest international airline, which will operate up to seven flights per week to the US*. As per tradition, the airline’s name, V Australia, is decided in a public competition, and tickets go on sale in March 2008. Virgin Blue has grown to become one of Australia’s leading, best-loved airlines – and is one of the world’s most profitable. Today the airline operates over 2,200 flights each week and boasts a staff roster in excess of 4,200. MARCH 2007 V AUSTRALIA TAKES FLIGHT California dreaming on this chilly August day? With Virgin Blue’s newest international airline set for take-off this December*, you can turn those dreams into a reality – for less than ever before. Offering return economy fares from Sydney to Los Angeles fromas little as $1,899, V Australia is fast becoming the hottest ticket in town. The airline also boasts the most spacious and comfortable economy seats offered on the trans-Pacific route, with a choice of International Economy, International PremiumEconomy and International Business (with fully flat horizontal beds and about 195 centimetres of space). Every V Australia plane is equipped with the latest in-flight technology, including access to BlackBerry and SMS services provided by technology powerhouse Amadeus. “Our research shows that the highest- ranking desirables are seat size, personal space and being entertained,” says Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey. Velocitymembers will also benefit, with one return International Business flight earning enough points to redeemtwo return flights fromSydney to Melbourne. * Subject to regulatory approval. AUGUSTVOYEUR 053 Easy, affordable travel is at the heart of Virgin Blue’s new venture, and when V Australia takes to the skies in December, it will be the first time ever a second Australian airline will offer flights on the trans-Pacific route – one of reasons Godfrey predicts the airline will prove profitable within the first two years. The airline was unveiled on 21 March 2007, when Virgin Blue signed a $2.2 billion deal for six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and announced the new airline would bring much-needed competition to the industry. In July 2007, Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) gave the newly christened V Australia fleet – which features a red tail with the stars of the Southern Cross – the go-ahead to operate 10 weekly non-stop return flights between Australia and the US fromDecember. Overseas operators followed suit in February this year, after the US signed an historic Open Skies agreement with Australia. V Australia’s ticket office officially opened for business on 31 March this year. For bookings or more information, visit www.vaustralia.com.au or call 13 82 87 (in Australia). AUGUST 2008 MARCH 2007 MAY 2006 OCTOBER 2006 HappyBirthday